In recent weeks families of FIFO workers who have committed suicide have spoken to The Sunday Times, calling for action to stop the deaths.

It is understood there have been at least nine suicides in just over a year. Most recently, a worker was found dead on Barrow Island.

Today the WA branches of the Australian Manufacturers Workers Union, the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union and Electrical Trades Union issued a joint statement voicing support after Labor’s call for an inquiry.

“Nine suicides in the past 12 months can only be described as a crisis in the FIFO industry,” MWU State Secretary Steve McCartney said.

“But even that tragic figure fails to capture the full extent of the FIFO lifestyle’s disruptive

Mick Buchan, CFMEU State Secretary.

impact on Western Australian families.”

“The FIFO industry is a vital and growing part of the WA economy, making it even more

important to understand the challenges and long-term impacts of the FIFO lifestyle.”

CFMEU State Secretary Mick Buchan said the deaths underlined the need to work together to implement organisational and cultural change in areas that have a negative impact on the mental health and wellbeing of FIFO workers.

“Such terrible loss of life is a reminder of the importance of working together to ensure that

the health and wellbeing of workers always has to come first,” Mr Buchan said.

ETU State Secretary Les McLaughlan

“Mining and construction are tough industries and FIFO workers face the added pressure of

long stints away from home which makes it even tougher.

“The impacts of this lifestyle are not limited to the employee but extend to their family and social circle, which make up a large portion of the WA community.”

ETU State Secretary Les McLaughlan said listening to workers and their representatives

was the only way to really get to grips with the problems of the FIFO industry.

“We represent thousands of FIFO workers and our members expect us to fight for them and

their families,” he said.

“We deal with the fallout of unsustainable FIFO practices every day and things have to change.

“We know that there are roughly 50,000 FIFO workers in WA and this is expected to increase to 63,500 in 2015 making it even more important to better understand the challenges of FIFO work.”

* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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